CHAPTER 4

GRAIN-SIZE ANALYSIS OF SOILS

Grain size analysis is performed in the laboratory for the purpose of determining the grain
size distribution of soil and reporting the results of these tests, the common practice is to
express the total weight finer than a given size as a percentage of the total weight of the soil.
The most direct method for separating the soil particles into various size fractions is by the use
of sieves. However, since the width of the openings of the finest sieve commonly used number
200 sieve is 0.0 74 mm., the use of sieves is restricted to analysis of clean coarse-grained
soils. If a soil contains a considerable amount of particles finer than 0.074mm a wet method of
analysis must be used.

The results of a grain size analysis are usually presented in the form of a grain size
distribution curve the percentage of material finer than a given size, P, is plotted as the
ordinate in a natural scale and a corresponding particle diameter ,D, in mm as the abscissa in
a logarithmic scale see Fig IV-1 and 3. The slope of the curve is indicative of degrading the
more uniform the particle size the steeper is the slope of a curve; a vertical line represents a
soil whose particles are all of the same size. Well graded soils or those whose particles are
distributed from coarse to fine have a shape curves that extend several cycles of the
logarithmic scale.The advantage of plotting in a semi-log scale is that material and equal
uniformity are represented by curves of identical shape whether the soil is fine grained or
coarse grained.The curve is also used to interpolate values of P( percent finer) corresponding
to sizes different from the sieve openings.

1. Sieve Analysis

In the sieve test, the weight of particles retained on each sieve is determined. Knowing
the total weight of sample the percentage of material finer than each sieve opening maybe
computed. Then, the composition of the soil can be determined in terms of percent gravel,
sand and combined silt and clay.

Illustrative Problem:

The following data were obtained from a sieve test on a certain soil:

Sieve Size 3/8” 4 8 20 40 100 200 PAN

Wt. Retained,g.0 0.5 75.1 88.5 77.9 161.6 29.0 67.6

Plot the grain-size curve on semi-log scale and determine the percentage of gravel, sand, and
silt clay combined.

Sieve Size Opening, mm, D Wt. Retained (g) Total weight Percent Finer
passing (g) (P)
3/8” 9.52 0 560.2 100
4 4.76 60.5 499.7 89
8 2.38 75.1 242.6 76
20 0.84 88.5 336.1 60
40 0.42 77.9 258.2 46
100 0.149 161.6 96.6 17
200 0.074 29.0 67.6 12
PAN 67.6
560.2
From grain-size distribution curve , Fig IV-1:
Percent finer than 2mm =73
Percent finer than 0.074 mm= 12

In accordance with Grain Size Classification:

Gravel = 100-73= 27%
Sand = 73-12 = 61%
Silt and Clay = 12%
2. Wet Analysis

A wet method of analysis is needed to determine the grain -size distribution of soils which are
predominantly fine-grained. The method in common use is known as the hydrometer test, so called
because it makes use of an immersion hydrometer. See Fig IV-2.

The wet method of analysis is based on Stokes’ law (stated by Stokes in 1845 )which
expresses the velocity at which a spherical particle falls through a fluid medium as a function of the
diameter and specific gravity of the solid particles.In a wet analysis as a suspension of soil is
agitated and allowed to stand at rest. After certain time had elapsed all particles coarser than a
certain size have settled out of suspension this site which is called the limiting diameter can be
computed by an equation based on Stokes’ law. The corresponding density of the suspension
which is indicated by the hydrometer reading is a measure of the quantity of soil remaining in
suspension whose particles are smaller than the limiting diameter. By taking hydrometer reading at
various time intervals the grain size distribution in the soil can be determined.

A sample of about 50 g of soil is dispersed in distilled water to make a suspension of 1 l and

placed in a glass cylinder. The suspension is then shaken for about a minute and a silent there is
set up right on a horizontal surface. The hydrometer is inserted in the suspension and hydrometer
readings are taken at various time intervals usually after ½ ,1 , 2, 5, 15, 30, 60 and etc., minutes.
The limiting diameter of particles and the percentage of material finer than this diameter can be
computed any time interval by use of Stokes’ equation and the hydrometer reading. Thus, the grain
size distribution is determined however this is on the assumption that all particles are spherical.
Since most fine-grained soils have play shape flake shape particles the grain size that is actually
determined in the test if the diameter of a sphere that settles at the same rate as the soil particle. It
is not the actual diameter of this soil particles but an equivalent diameter.

One of the most common sources of error in the wet analysis is inadequate dispersion of
particles of fine grained soil it is such to be the case the diameters that are measured are those of
floccules composed of several grains not of the individual grains as intended to avoid flocculation a
small amount of an electrolyte known as dispersing or the deflocculating agent is added to the
sample before it is stirred and placed in the graduated cylinder.

3. Effective grain size and uniformity coefficient

Significant numerical values which are correlated with other soil characteristics have been
derived for the grain size distribution curves . On the basis of a great number of tests and filters
sands, it has been found out that the permeability of these sand in a loose state depends on two
quantities Effective Grain Size (D10) and Uniformity Coefficient (U). Effective grain size is the
diameter of particles corresponding to P = 10% on the grain size curve and Uniformity Coefficient is
the ratio of the diameter corresponding to P= 60% and the Effective Grain Size. In other words
10% of a given soil, by weight, is finer than the effective grain size.

Illustrative problem

1. A 100 -cc suspension containing 50 grams of dry soil with a specific gravity of 2.65 is
prepared for a hydrometer analysis . What should be the hydrometer reading at the instant
sedimentation begins ? Assume that the temperature of the test and the temperature of
calibration of the hydrometer are both at 4 degrees Celsius period the hydrometer used in
the test reads 1.000 in a liter of distilled water at the temperature of calibration.

Let V = total volume of suspension

Vs = Volume of solid
Vw = Volume of water
Ws = Weight of solids
Ww = Weight of water
Gs = specific gravity of solid
 V = Vs + Vw = 1000cc

Vs = Ws / Gs = 50 / 2.65 = 18.9 cc

Vw = 1000 - 18.9 = 981.1 cc

Ww = 981.8 g

Total weight of suspension = Ws + Ww

= 50 g + 981.8 g

= 1031.1 g.

Density of Suspension = Weight of suspension

Volume of Suspension

= 1031.1 /1000

= 1.0311

Hydrometer Reading = Density of Suspension

= 1.0311

2. The following data were obtained from a hydrometer analysis on a fine grained soil:

Limiting Diameter, D Percent Finer, P

3 mm. 100
1 mm. 94
0.1 mm. 59
0.01 mm. 24
0.001 mm. 11

Plot the grain sized distribution curve and determine: percent gravel; percent sand ; percent
silt; percent clay; effectively grain size ; and uniformly coefficient.

From Fig IV-3:

Percent gravel = 100 - 99 =1

Percent sand = 99 - 53 = 46

Percent Silt = 53 - 18 = 35

Percent clay = 18 (11 % colloid )

Effective grain size, D10 = 0.0006 mm.

Uniformity Coefficient = D 60 = 0.1 = 167

D 10 0.0006